Folding machine



4 m u y 2 m I S 1mg 5 s r w. 5, h ,mfia. 2 Lb I I 0 s Efie 7 U mi 1 r Z L g mw U 2. am HL m TC m G Hum m '0 EF H 8 A 9 1 l 5 p 9 2 1 4 t 5 w 1 s d w m M m May 15, 1951 H. E. ELLIOTT ET AL FOLDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 R Q Q Lawrence Mawbey y 9 1951 H. E. ELLIOTT ET AL 2,552,544

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 lnvemam Harold EEZZz'ozz May 15, 1951 Filed Sept. 2, 1948 H. E. ELLIOTT ET AL FOLDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventors" HaroZdEEZZiozz y 1951 I H. E. ELLIOTT ET AL 2,552,544

FOLDiNG MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 2, 1948 Jnvemmw Harold EElZz'ozf Lawrence Mawbey L #282 0" y 1951 H. E. ELLIOTT ET AL 2,552,544

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 53 s: m 0L sm r85 m Inventors Harold EEZZiozz Lawrence Mawbey Patented May 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING MACHINE Application September 2, 1948, Serial No. 47,362 In Great Britain September 18, 1947 (C1. Will-61) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for folding the margins of flexible work pieces and more particularly to form folding machines in which a substantial portion of the margin of the work is folded at one time as distinguished from progressive folding.

The principal object of this invention is to pro-- duce an improved form folding machine of rugged construction whereby work pieces of heavy type may be satisfactorily folded. In accordance with one feature of the invention, the machine includes a folding lever which is of very rugged construction and which also forms a cover for the driving mechanisms of the machine. This folding lever includes a top portion which extends substantiallythe entire width and length of the machine, the top portion having formed therewith depending sides which project downwardly inside upwardly extending sides formed with the base.

The folding lever is pivoted upon a shaft carried by a pair of brackets affixed to the base and, in accordance With a further feature of the invention', the folding lever carries at its forward end two separate folding means which are moved about the axis of the said shaft by driving means located inside the machine. The first folding means carried by the front end of the folding lever is arranged to raise the margin of the work piece to a position approximately 90 from the main 0 portion of the work piece which is placed upon a work table held by the base just ahead of the folding means. Fhe second folding means comprises a heavy bar positioned immediately under the first folding means and supported on its under side by an integral portion of the forward end of the folding lever. Separate motive means is connected to the second-mentioned folding means to move the same generally away from and toward the pivot of the folding lever in predetermined time relation to the movement of the folding lever about its pivot. The second-mentioned folding means is arranged to engage the margin of the work piece after it has been turned upwardly by the first-mentioned folding means and by forward movement of the second folding means the upturned margin is placed in overlying position with respect to the adjacent portion of the work piece. Then, upon downward mov merit of the forward end of the folding lever the under side of the second folding means is firmly pressed against the overlying margin in order to complete the operation.

By virtue of the provision of a folding lever, constructed as described and carrying the two mentioned folding means, a machine capable of folding relatively heavy work pieces without damage to the machine is provided. Also, by the provision of the second folding means vertically movable with the first-mentioned folding means and independently movable forward and backward of the machine to complete the turning over of the margin and to press downwardly thereupon, the adaptability of the machine for its intended J purpose is greatly enhanced in that the relatively heavy folding lever need be mounted only for movement about the previously mentioned pivot, in contrast to the machines of the prior art wherein the part generally corresponding to the folding lever of the machine of this invention had imparted thereto up and down movements as well as forward and rearward movements.

By virtue of the described contruction of the folding lever, this element also conveniently serves as a cover for a substantial portion of the operating parts of the machine, thereby protecting the parts from damage andforeign matter, as well as lessening the chances of injury to the operator.

Another feature of the invention is that the driving means for moving the folding lever and folding means about the said pivot includes adjustable yielding means for forcing the secondmentioned folding means against the top of the overturned margin.

The illustrated machine also includes clamping means in the form of a presser bar which is carried by a lever pivoted with respect to the base, the lever being manually actuable to bring the clamping means down upon the upper surface of the work piece on the work table to hold the same in position throughout nearly the entire cycle of operation of the machine. Pivotally carried by the lever is a creasing means in the form of a folding blade, which blade is connected to a driving means including a pivot co-axial with the pivot of the lever carrying the clamping means. By virtue of this construction, upon the initial manual actuation of the machine, the clamping means and creasing means are together moved downwardly to engage the work piece with no relative movement between the clamping means and creasing means taking place, and as the cycle of operation of the machine progresses, the creasing means is movedwith respect to the clamping means to permit the second folding means to press the turned margin of the work piece downi wardly against the adjacent portion of the work Fig. 4 is an angular exploded view of a porm tion of the margin raising bar and associated parts;

Fig. 5 is an angular view, partly in section, of a portion of the margin folding and pressing bar-- actuating mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line VI-VI of Fig. 2; V

Fig. 7 is a section on the line V'IIVII of Fig. 6;

Figs. 8 to 13 are detail views of the work-engaging members of the machine showing the various positions thereof relatively to the Work piece at different times in the cycle of operation of the machine; and

Fig. 14 is a graph of the positions of the workengaging members of the machine throughout the cycle of operation thereof.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine comprises a flat horizontally disposed base II), which may be suitably affixed to the top of a work bench. Integral with the base I0 and extending upwardly therefrom are a front wall I2, left side wall I4, right side wall I6, and rear end wall I8. Integral with the front wall I2 and side walls I4 and I6 is a transversely extending bar having on its under side three integral bosses '22. A work table 24 extends transversely of the machine above the bar 26 and is supported by three sleeves 26 each carrying an integral nut 21 the upper ends of which abut against bosses 28 formed integrally with table 25 on the lower side thereof. The bosses 22 are tapped for the reception of the lower ends of the sleeves 26 which are exteriorly threaded, and by rotation of the sleeves 26 the vertical position of the work table 2% may be adjusted. The bosses 28 on table 28 are tapped for thereception of the upper ends of lock screws 36 which pass upwardly through the bosses 22 and sleeves 25 to secure the work table 24 against the upper ends of the nuts 21. As shown, the bar 20 and work table 2 3 have a slight upward and rearward inclination.

A first folding means in the form of a margin raising bar 34 extends transversely of the machine parallel to the rear surface of the work table 2 Referring also to Fig. 4, the bar 34 is integral with a bracket 36 which is of relatively strong construction and which has a flat rear face around its sides and top, which face is securely held against a forward flat face 38a on a folding lever 33 by screws 46 (Fig. l). 'Projections 36a (only one shown) formed on the rear face of each end of the bracket 36 closely fit into corresponding channels 381) formed in each of the flat faces of the lever 36. An opening 42 (Fig. 2) is formed in the bracket 36, through which extends certain of the operating parts of the machine as will be later described.

The folding lever 38 is of relatively strong construction and of hood-like form, and includes side walls 46 and 46 which extend downwardly inside the left and right walls I4 and I6 of the base, respectively, while the rear end 48 of the lever extends downwardly inside the upwardly projecting rear end wall I 8 of the base. The folding lever also, therefore, serves as a cover for most of the operating parts of the machine. An inspection opening 56, which may be provided with a suitable removable cover plate, is provided in the rear top portion of lever 38.

Still referring generally to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there are disclosed a left bracket 52 and a right bracket 54 affixed to the base III by screws 56. These brackets have integral bearings 52a and Ma, respectively, in which is rotatably mounted a shaft 58 extending transversely of the machine and upon which bosses 44a and 46a integral with the left side wall 44 and right side wall 46, re-

spectively, of lever 38 are held. Consequently;

the lever 38, bracket 36 and its integral margin raising bar 34 are mounted for pivotal movements about the axis of shaft 58 relatively to the stationary base II].

The lever 38 (Fig. 4) has a forwardly projecting portion 62 between which and the undersurface of the margin-raising bar 34 is formed a guideway 3 3a for a second folding means in the form of a folding and pressing bar 64. Formed integrally with and extending rearwardly from each end of the forwardly projecting portion 62 of the lever 33 is a pair of bifurcated lugs 66 (Figs. 2 and 3). Pivoted between each pair of lugs 66 by a pin 68 is the upper forward end of one of a pair of rearwardly and downwardly extending links 76. The lower end of each of the links i6 is pivoted to one of a pair of pins I2, each of which is carried by a pair of arms 14 integral with and extending upwardly from a lever 16 (Fig. 1). The lever 16 is mounted upon an cecentric portion 18 of a shaft 86 journaled in bosses 52b and Mb integral with the previously described brackets 52 and 54 which are affixed to the base I6. The end of shaft projecting to the left of the boss 52b of bracket 52 carries a collar 82 which is held on the shaft by a set screw 34. shaft 89 prevent longitudinal movement of the shaft.

An upstanding lug 66 integral with the lever "I6 near the center thereof is provided, and. two" downwardly and rearwardly extending links 88 have their forward ends pivoted to the rear end of the lug by pin 90. The lower rear ends of links 88 are pivoted to the forward lower end.

of a cam lever 62 by pin 94. The cam lever 92 carries a pin 95, near the center thereof, upon which is rotatably mounted a cam roll 96 which engages a cam groove in a cam 98 (Fig. 3), aifixed upon a cam shaft I60, extending transversely of the machine and journaled in bearings 52c and 540 integral with the brackets 54 and 56. Means for driving the cam shaft I00 will be hereinafter described.

The rear upper end of the cam lever 92 carries a pair of integral fiburcations I02 (Fig. 5) be tween which a block IE4 is pivoted by pins I06 which also carry the lower ends of arms I07. The upper ends of these arms are integrally connected by a sleeve Ill'la freely mounted on a hori-. zontal shaft I68 journaled in bearings 52d and 54d integral with brackets 52 and 54. A'pair of collars Illlb secured upon shaft I68 by set screws 7 I610 prevent the sleeve, arms and cam lever 92' from moving transversely of the machine. The block I04 is slidably mounted upon a forwardly and upwardly extending rod I09 (Fig. 2) upon the lower end of which is formed a head III) pivoted upon the shaft 68.

A compression spring I I2 encircles rod. I09 and is contained in a housing M4, the lower end of which bears against the upper end of block I04 Collar 82 and the eccentric portion 18 of and is slidably mounted on rod IE9. The upper end of this rod is threaded for the reception of an adjusting hand nut I I6, having a, knurled head 1, the lower end of the nut being slidably received within the upper end of housing H4 and passing through plate II8 aflixed to folding lever 38. Consequently, housing II4 is free to slide upwardly along rod I69 and the lower end of hand nut I It by compressing spring I I 2, the compression of which may be adjusted by manipulation of the hand nut.

For counterbalancing the folding lever and the parts carried thereby, the depending sides 44, 46 of the folding lever 38 are connected to the brackets 52, 54 by springs I22 secured to eyes I24, I26 on the sides of the folding lever and on the brackets respectively. This counterbalancing facilitates lifting the folding lever when making repairs to the machine.

When the cam shaft Iilal is rotated, the cam 98 will produce predetermined motions of the cam roll 96 radially of the cam which produce movements of the lower end of cam lever 92 about the pins I06. The motions of the lower end of cam lever 92 are transferred through links 38, lever I6, links I0 and bifurcated lugs I56 to the extension 62 integral with folding lever 38. It will be noted that links it] and arm I4 of the lever 78 form a toggle which is straightened upon forward movement of the lower end of cam lever 92 resulting in a raising of the lever 38 and the folding and pressing bar 64 and margin raising bar 34 until the toggle moves past dead center, whereupon continued movement draws the lever 38, folding and pressing bar 64, and margin-raising bar 34 downwardly. Rearward movement of the lower end of the cam lever 92 reverses the movements of the parts.

To accommodate pieces of varying thickness, provision is made for turning the eccentric shaft 80 to adjust the position of lever It heightwise of the machine, which will in turn vary the positions into which the folding lever 38 is moved as the toggle 10, 'I4 is straightened and broken. For this purpose, an upwardly extending arm I30 (Fig. 1) is affixed to the right end of the eccentric shaft 89 by a screw I32, which end extends through the upstanding right wall I6 of base Ill. Arm I38 carries at its upper end a horizontal bolt I34 which has on its left end a head I 36 which projects downwardly into a shoulder I38 of an arcuate plate Mil which is affixed to the side I6 of base II] by screws I42. The right end of bolt I34 has screwed thereon a hand nut I 44 by means of which the head I36 on bolt I34 may be forced into clamping engagement with the adjacent surface of the arcuate plate I 40. When the hand nut I44 has been loosened, the arm I30 and shaft 80 may be rotated to vary the position of the lever IS.

The forward edges of the margin-raising bar 34, margin folding and pressing bar 54 and portion 52 of lever 38, and the rear edge of the work table 24 are curved, as shown most clearly in Figs. 8 to 13, about the axis of shaft 58 to prevent any part of the work piece from entering between the mentioned surfaces.

The margin-raising bar 34 has adjustably mounted on its upper face an edge gage I46 in the form of a bar extending transversely of the machine substantially the entire width thereof and having its front edge parallel to and somewhat to the rear of the forward edge of the margin raising bar 34. The work piece is placed upon the work table 24 with its rear margin overlying the portion of the margin-raising bar ahead of the edge gage I46 and its rear edge abutting the front edge of the edge gage. To facilitate adjustment of the edge gage I relatively to the margin-raising bar 34 to vary the width of the margin of the work piece to be folded, the edge gage has secured thereto near each end a rearwardly extending rod I48 which is slidably mounted in the bracket 36 affixed to the Coacting with each of the rods I48 is a thumb screw I50 (Figs. 1 and 3) threaded through the adjacent end of the bracket 36. A series of graduations E52 (Fig. 3) is placed at each end of the margin-raising bar 34 to assist the operator in correctly positioning the edge gage I45 upon loosening the thumb screws I50.

Means for reciprocating the margin-folding and pressing bar 64 will now be described. Extending rearwardly from the bar 64 (Figs. 2 and 4), near each end thereof, is a lug I54 which is pivoted to the forward end of a link I56 by means of a pin I58. The rear end of each of the links I is pivoted by a pin I to the lower end of one of a pair of arms I52 integral with a lever IE4 (Fig. 5) pivoted on the shaft I08. The lever I254 includes downwardly and forwardly extendin arm I 68 near its right end, the lower end of which carries, by means of a pin I'III, a cam roll H2 arranged to ride upon the periphery of a cam I'M (Fig. 3) which is afiixed upon the cam shaft Iiiil by means of set screw I'I6 passing through the hub I'll formed integrally with cam I'M. Attached to the arm IE8 at a point above the pin H9 is an eye I89 to which thelower rear end of a tension spring I82 is attached, the upper forward end of the spring being attached to a pin I84 carried by a boss 5472 of fixed bracket 54. Spring I82 biases arm I58 to maintain cam roll I12 against the surface of cam I'I4.

As cam I'M is rotated by the cam shaft I ill] and the cam roll I12 is moved inwardly toward the center of the cam by the spring I82, arm I 68, lever I 64 and the arms I I52 carried at opposite ends of the lever move counterclockwise. as seen in Fig. 2, and the links I56 move ahead, resulting in a forward movement of the folding and pressing bar 64. Whenever the cam I14 moves the cam roll I12 outwardly from the axis of the cam the just-described parts move in opposite directions. Cam I'M is positioned upon the cam shaft use and has a peripheral pattern such that after the previously described mechanism for raising the margin-raising bar 34 has raised the bar above the surface of work table 24 a predetermined amount, the spring 182 operates the apparatus controlled thereby to move the folding and pressing bar 64 forwardly of the machine to turn the upturned margin of the work piece forwardly. The bar 64 remains in said position until the lever 38 is moved downwardly later in the cycle of operation, whereupon the bar, which is carried thereby, presses downwardly upon the top of the forwardly folded margin of the work piece. Later in the cycle of operation the lever 38 is moved upwardly, and the bar 64 is retracted. The lever 38 is then moved downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2. Because of the size and strength of the folding lever 38 and its integral portion 62 and because of the size and strength of the bracket 36 and the margin-raising bar 34 formed integrally therewith, the machine is adapted to fold firmly the margins of relatively heavy work pieces. The projections 36a of bar 34 fitted into the channels 38b of lever 38 greatly front face of the folding lever 38.-

strengthen the machine. The use of the folding lever as a cover for the machine is particularly advantageous in that the required shape of the cover, having a hood-like shape in cross-section and depending sides, inherently lends strength to the lever. By arranging the folding and pressing bar 64 for forward and rearward movement independently of the folding lever, and for vertical'movement with the forward end of the folding lever, the only movement that must be imparted to the folding lever, in contrast to the prior art machines, is a movement about the axis of the shaft 58.

The following means are provided for regulating the forward travel of the bar 64 according to the width of the margin to be folded. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 and 5, the arm I08 carries a shouldered bolt 425 retained on the arm by a'nut 428. A block 430 is freely mounted on the bolt 426 and this block carries the lower end k of a rod 432, the upper end 434 of which is of reduced diameter and is slidably mounted inside the lower end of an adjustin screw 436 which is threaded into a block 438. This block has at each end a stud 440which is freely mounted in one of a pair of brackets 442 which are affixed to the underside of the folding lever 38 by screws 444. By adjustment of the screw 436 the forward travel of the cam arm I60 may be regulated by the engagement of the upper end of rod 432 with the end of screw 430. This feature of the machine is advantageous since it is desirable that the forward movement of the margin pressing member shall be at least approximately equal to the width of the margin to be folded. movement is less than such width, the whole width of the margin will not be pressed against the work piece, and if it is greater than such width, the margin-pressing member may be prevented from pressing the folded-over margin against the work piece in cases where the work piece and margin are beveled or skived in the region of the fold.

A presser bar supportin arm I88 is integrally formed with the presser bar I85 near each end thereof, each of the supporting arms I88 being secured near its upper end by means to be shortly described to the broadened front face I90a of one of a pair of presser bar lever arms I90 each of which is pivoted upon one of a pair of studs I92, one of which is carried by a bearing 52a of bracket 52 and the other of which is carried by a bearing 54c of bracket 54. The presser bar lever arms I90 are formed integrally with a crossbar I94 extending transversely of the machine between the two arms 90. Each of the presser bar lever arms I90 has a forwardly projecting lug I901) overlying the top end of its associated presser bar supporting arm I88, and each of these lugs is slotted (Fig. 1) for the reception of a vertically extendin thumbscrew I98, the lower threaded portion of which extends into the upper tapped end of the associated presser bar supporting arm I88. Also, each of the supporting arms I88 has therein near its upper end a vertically extending slot IBBa through which passes a clamping screw 200, the inner end of which is threaded into the front face I90a of the asso ciated presser bar lever arm I90. When the clamping screws 200 are loosened the thumbscrews I90 may be turned to adjust the presser bar-supporting arms I88 and presser bar I86 upwardly or downwardly according to the thickness of the material being folded, and the arms may also be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly.

If such 2 The creasing means is in the form of a folding blade 202 which is positioned slightly rearwardly of the presser bar I96 and extends parallel thereto, the foldin blade being of the same length as the presser bar. The folding blade is slightly curved in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2, and is of relatively thin construction. Two folding blade supporting arms 204 extend upwardly from the folding blade, the left one of these arms being positioned to the right of the left presser bar lever arm I and the right one of the arms 204 being positioned to the left of the right arm I90 as shown in Fig. 1. Clamping screws 206, passing through slots 204a, adjustably secure the arms 204 to a folding blade lever 208 (Fig. 3) extendingtransversely of the machine, the ends of the lever being carried by spindles 2I0 journaled in bearings I900 near the forward ends of the presser bar lever arms I90. A lug 20811 (Figs. 1 and 2) is formed at each end of the lever 208 and projects forwardly over the upper end of the associated arm 204, and each of the lugs is slotted for the reception of a thumbscrew 209 which extends therethrough and into the tapped upper end of the associated arm 204. The vertical and longitudinal position of the folding blade 202 may be adjusted by thumbscrews 209 upon loosening the clamping screws 206.

The folding blade lever 208 has formed integrally therewith an upwardly extending lug 2I2 (Figs. 1 and 3) in the upper end of which is rotatably mounted a horizontal transversely extending pin 2M, the head of which is in the form of a block Zita through which passes a rearwardly and downwardly extending adjusting rOd 2I8 having a knurled head 2 iii. A pair of collars 220 affixed upon rod 2H3 bear against opposite sides of block 2I ia to prevent the rod from sliding in the block. The lower rear end portion of rod 2 I8 is screw threaded through the head 224a of a horizontal pin 224 which extends laterally of the machine and is rotatably mounted in the lower forward end of an upwardly and rearwardly extending arm 223' integral with a folding blade cam lever 228 which extends a substantial distance transversely of the machine and has each of its ends pivoted on one of the studs I28. The folding blade cam ,lever 228, near the right end thereof, has a rearwardly extending arm 232 in the rear end of which is carried a pin 234 upon the left end of which i rotatably mounted a cam roll arranged to bear against the periphery of a cam 230 (Fig. 3) affixed upon cam shaft I00 by set screw 240 which passes through the hub 242 of the cam. The upper end of a tension spring 224 is attached to the right end of pin 234 and the lower end of this spring is held by a pin'246 carried by the bracket 54. Spring 244 maintains cam roll 236 against the periphery of cam 238 at all times, and as cam roll 230 i moved by the rotating cam 238 outwardly from the axis of cam s.;aft the lever 228 will be moved clockwise about the axis of the studs I28 resulting in a rearward movement of the adjusting rod 2I8 which produces a counterclockwise movement of the folding blade lever 208 and folding blade 202 about the axis of spindles 2 I 0, the folding blade moving relatively to the presser bar I36 and away from the edge gage Hit. A movement of cam roll 236 toward the axis of rotation of the cam shaft'under the control of spring 244 moves the just described parts in opposite directions. The peripheral pattern of cam 233 is such that, through the just described system, movements are imparted tothe" folded. supported by spindles 2H3 held by the presser bar by pin 3 longitudinally of the machine in accordance with the width of the margin of the work piece to be Inasmuch as the folding blade 202 is lever arms see, any movement of arms Hid about their pivots Hi2 produces a corresponding movement of the folding blade 252, and when the presser bar I86 and folding blade 292 are in their raised positions, as shown in Fig. 2, the pin 224 and pins 492 are coaxial so that when the presser bar IE6 is moved downwardly by arms 19%, the

. folding blade 2G2 moves therewith without being independently moved about the spindles 210.

Considering now the means for moving the presser bar lever arms Hi about pins :92, the crossbar which interconnects the presser bar lever arms vi555] carries an ear 248 to the left of the transverse center thereof to which is pivoted, by a pin 259, an upwardly and rearwardly extending. rod 256 slidably mounted in a block A compression spring 2553 surrounds the rod 25d and act between a head 252 formed on the lower end of the rod and the block 253. The upper end portion of the rod is threaded to receive a nut 26% and a lock nut 252 for a purpose to be explained. The forward end of a cam lever 264 is pivoted upon a stud 26? which projects from the left side of block 255, and the cam lever is secured near the middle thereof to a spindle 258 which is rotatably held by a bearing 52 of the fixed bracket 52. A cam roll 275 (Fig. 3) is carried by a pin 21 2 at the rear lower end of cam lever 25% and is arranged to bear against the periphery of a cam 274 affixed upon cam shaft idil by screw 21$ passing through the hub 2Y8 of the cam.

The forward end of an arm 280 i secured upon the left end of spindle 268 to the left of the fixed bracket 52, and the rear end of this arm carries a pin 232 to which the upper end of a tension spring 2% is attached, the lower end of this spring being attached to a stud 2% carried by the right side of the bracket Spring 34 maintains cam roll against the periphery of cam 2M at all times.

The upper link of a turnbuckle, the lower link of which is numbered 2%, has its upper end pivoted upon the left end of pin 282. The lower end of link 2853 is left threaded and the upper end of link 2% is right threaded, and connectin the links is an intericrly threaded sleeve 292 upon which is affixed the nut 25%. A pair of lock nuts 2% are provided for securing the sleeve 292 in its adjusted position relative to the link members 238 and 2%. By means of this arrangement, the length of the turnbuckle may be adjusted, as when assembling the machine.

The lower end of link 299 i pivoted upon a pin 298 carried by a lever secured by pin 3552 to a horizontal shaft 3% rotatably held by bearing 52g of bracket 52, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The rear end of a treadle arm 38% is afiiked to shaft and upper end of a link 3N3 d into the head Sit of a pin 3M is screw t which is rotatably held by the forward end of the 'treadie lever arm.

Link 3H3 passes downigh the base ii near the center of the machine its lower end is connected to a manu ally actuable member in the form of a treadle r (not shown), which is arranged, upon depression by the operator, to move the link downwardly.

In operation, when the treadle link 3H] is moved downwardly by the operator, the arm SE18, shaft 396, and lever 30!] all rotate clockwise as seen in Fig. 2, and the link members 299, 2&8 move upwardly, rotating the arm 280, cam lever 26 i and spindle 268 clockwise. The lever Z64 acts through the spring 258 to rotate the presser bar lever arms ISO clockwise about the studs I92, and the presser bar I86 and folding blade 252 move downwardly to engage the upper surface of the work piece. The operation of cam roll 2?!) which is moved by cam 214 will be later described.

For driving the cam shaft I00, there is provided a motor 2515 (Figs. 2 and 3) carried by a bracket 3H3 which is affixed to the base Ill by the fastening means 320. The shaft 322 of the motor carries a drive sprocket wheel 324 connected by a chain 2-325 to a larger sprocket wheel 32'! integrally formed with a driving clutch member 323 which is freely mounted to the right of the left side wall i i of base H) upon a bearing sleeve are amxed in the boss Ma of the side wall. The driving member 328 has afiixed therein, degrees apart, two driving pins 329 (Fig. 6) which project beyond the right side of member 328. Mounted in bearing sleeve 330 is the left end of a main drive shaft 332, the right end of which is rotatably held by a bearing 52h formed on the right side of the main bracket 52. A gear 334 is afiixed upon the right end of drive shaft 332 by pin and gear 334 meshes with a larger gear 338 (Fig. 3) secured to the cam shaft I09 by set screw 3M! passing through the hub 342 of the gear. A driven clutch member 3% (Figs. 6 and '7) is pinned to the main drive shaft 332 by pin 34%, and this clutch member is bored parallel to the main driving shaft for the reception of. a clutch bolt 348 mounted therein for sliding movement, the clutch bolt being urged to the left by a spring etc in a bore in the clutch bolt. The right end of spring 356 engages a plate 352 afiixed to the right end of the driven clutch member 344 and the driven clutch member formed therein a slot 354 through which projects a clutch bolt actuating arm 356 integral with the clutch bolt. With the machine at rest, the clutch bolt is held in its retracted positicn, as shown in the drawings, by the engagement of arm 356 with the wedge shaped member the right side of which member has a laterinclined surface 358a (Fig. 6) formed at an angle to the surface 35% which is normal to the axis of the main driving shaft 332. This wedge shaped member is attached by screws 365! to the right side of a clutch arm 362 which is pivoted upon a shouldered bolt 364 held by a boss 5'2i of bracket 52, bolt 36 5 being held in position by a nut 365 upon the right end thereof. A pin 353 projects from the right side of clutch arm Y352 and has attached thereto the lower end of we carried thereby move downwardly displacing the right side of the wedge shaped member from engagement with the clutch bolt arm 355: The

spring moves the clutch bolt 348 to the left into engaging position with one or the other of the drive pins 329 carried by the driving member 328, whereupon the driven clutch member 343, main drive shaft 332, gears 334 and 338 and cam shaft i3!) are rotated. As will be later more fully described, upon completion of a cycle of operations of the machine, providing the treadle has been released, the rear end of the clutch arm 332 and wedge shaped member 358 move into their upper positions, resulting in an engagement of the inclined face 358a of the wedge shaped member by the clutch bolt actuating arm 353, and'the clutch bolt will be returned to its retracted position as shown in the drawings, whereupon the driven clutch member 344 is disengaged from the driving member 328.

In order to stop the cam shaft 103 from rotating upon adisengagement of the clutch, a collar 315 (Fig. 3) is secured on the right end of the shaft by set screw 3'33, and formed integrally with the collar is a brake drum 330 against which bears a brake shoe 332 held by an adjustable screw 384 passing through a block 333 formed on the right end of a stud 3138 held by the boss 53g of bracket 54. A set screw 39!] is provided to hold stud 388 against rotation, and a lock nut 332 is provided on screw 384 for securing the same in adjusted position. Upon loosening the lock nut, the friction of the brake shoe upon the brake drum may be adjusted by means of screw 334. The brake shoe acts on the drum at all times. f

In order to prevent the clutch bolt 33-8 from moving into the path of the driving pins 323 even though theforward end of the clutch arm 332 be moved downwardly, as when adjustments or repairs are being made to the machine, there is provided a rod 393 in an axial bore 395 which extends inwardly from the left end of the main driving shaft 332, the said end of which projects beyond the left side of the left wall i l of the base [0. The left end of the axial bore 395 in shaft 332 is tapped at 396 for coaction with threads 398 formed on the left end of therod, anda knurled head 400 is provided on the outer end of the rod. The right end of the rod 334 engages the side of a cross pin 482 which is in a slot 403 passing transversely through and extending lengthwise of the shaft 332. The ends of pin 402 project slightly beyond the periphery of shaft 332 and engage shoulder 135 of a collar 8 slidingly mounted upon the right end Of shaft 332 which is somewhat smaller in diameter than the left end thereof. The collar 403 has an integral flange MD with two slots therein, through each of which projects one of the driving pins 329 mounted in the driving member 328. The left end of a compression spring M2 bears against the right side of flange M6 and the right end of this spring bears against the hub of the driven clutch member 334 in which is formed a, recess M4 for receiving the spring and left end of collar 138. By rotating the knurled head 133 the cross pin 402 and collar 433 may be moved to the right along shaft 33?. until the right face of the flanged! is flush with the right ends of the driving pins 329, to move the clutch bolt into its retracted position or to maintain it in'such position, as the case may be. The main driving shaft 332 may then be manually rotated by means of a hand wheel M5 which is affixed upon the left end of shaft 332 by screws M8 passing into a flange 420 on the left end of the shaft.

Operation When the machine is at rest, the parts thereof are positioned as shown in Fig. 2. In the use of the machine the operator places a work piece upon the work table 24 with the rear edge of the work piece abutting the forward edge of the edge gage I45 which has been adjusted in accordance with the width of fold to be made. The operator then presses downwardly on the treadle connected to the treadle link 31B, and link 3H1 moves downwardly and by means of the treadle arm 338 the rear arm of treadle lever 303 and the turnbuckle 293, 283 move upwardly, and. arm 23%, cam lever 234, compression spring 258 and link 254, the presser bar lever arms I and the presser bar I83 and folding blade 202 carried thereby are moved clockwise about the axis of studs 592 until the presser bar I84 and folding blade 232 engage the upper surface of the Work During this initial phase of the downward movement of the treadle link the cam roll 273 will be moved away from the surface of its associated cam 2'34, and the tension spring 284 will be elongated. Further downward movement of the treadle and treadle link 3E3 will bring the forward end of the treadle lever 338 into engagement with the pin 314 projecting from the left side of theclutch arm 362, resulting in a downward movement of the wedgeshaped member 358 carried by the clutch arm, whereupon the wedge-shaped member is displaced from engagement with the clutch bolt actuating arm 356 and the compression spring 359 moves the clutch bolt 348 to the left into engagement with one or the other of the driving pins 329 carried by the driving clutch member 328, whereupon'the driving shaft 332 and cam shaft Hill are rotated.

As the wedge-shaped member 358, carried by the clutch arm 332, is moved downwardly, the two-part turnbuckle 293, 288 continues to be moved upwardly resulting in a further movement .of the cam roll 210 away from the periphery of cam 2M and in a further elongation of the spring 284, and increased pressure of the presser bar I-86 upon the work piece is applied.

As soon as the cam shaft I00 commences to rotate the operator will normally release the treadle, but before such releasing the periphery of cam 214 engages the cam, roll 210 which through the cam lever 264 and other just-described interconnecting parts increases the pressure of the presser bar R33 against the upper surface of the work piece. However, the use 'of the compression spring 258 prevents the application of excess pressure by the presser bar upon the work piece, and by means of nuts 260 and 262 such pressure may be regulated. At the same time, through arm 283, the two-part link 288, 233 and treadle lever 30!), the cam lever 264 maintains the clutch arm 332 and wedge-shaped member 358 in their downward positions in order that the clutch members continue in engaged position.

Referring'also to Figs. 9-14, the margin-raising bar 34 commences to move upwardly when the cam shaft I03 has rotated through about 10 from its starting position, under the control of the cam 98, cam lever 92, links 88, lever 16 and links 10, connected to portion (i2 integral with the folding lever 38, the folding lever 38 and parts rigidly connected thereto being pivoted about the axis of shaft 58. The upward movement of the margin-raising bar continues until 13 the cam shaft has rotated through approximately 50 when the work-engaging parts of the machine will be positioned relatively to the work piece w as shown in Fig. 9, and at which time the margin of the work piece will be bent at approximately 90 to the body portion thereof lying upon the work table 24.

When the cam shaft has rotated through about 45 from its starting position, the margin folding and presing bar 64 begins to move forwardly under the control of spring I82 which retains the cam roll I12 against cam I74, the spring acting through the lever I64 and links I55. iihe bar continues to move forwardly until the cam shaft has rotated through about 80 from its starting position, at which time the work-engaging parts will be positioned as shown in Fig. 10, with the margin of the work piece to folded forwardly over the folding blade 202.

The folding blade 202 commences to move forwardly out of engagement with the work from the position shown in Fig. 9 when the cam shaft has been rotated through about 75, or just before the margin folding and pressing bar 54 stops its forward movement. This movement of the folding blade is controlled by the cam 238 acting through the roller 23%, lever 228, and link 2H which moves the folding blade lever 208 and folding blade 202 about the axis of spindles 2m, and

the forward movement of the folding blade is terminated when the cam shaft has been rotated through about 110, at which time the work-engaging parts will be positioned as shown in Fig. 11.

- Just prior to the termination of the forward movement of the folding blade 202, the toggle members "i2, 14 move past their dead center positions and further clockwise movement of the toggle members under the control of cam 98 produces a downward movement of the folding lever 38, and with it the margin-raising bar 34 and the folding and pressing bar 54. The downward movement of these parts continues for a length of time dependent upon the thickness of the margin and body of the work piece adjacent thereto. In the absence of any work piece, the downward movement continues until the cam shaft has rotated through approximately 155 from its starting position. The provision of the I in the positions shown in Fig. 12 during which time pressure is applied to the top surface of the folded-over margin of the work piece to allow it to set in its folded-over position, which margin may or may not have been cemented prior to the introduction of the work piece to the machine, as the occasion warrants.

When the cam shaft has rotated through approximately 215" from its starting position, in the absence of a work piece, the margin-raising bar and-margin folding and pressing bar and parts connected thereto are begun to be moved upwardly under the control. of cam 98, and at the end of 270 of rotation of the cam shaft these 14 parts stop their upward movement. It will be appreciated that when a work piece is in the machine the time in the cycle when these parts start their upward movement will depend upon the thicknesses of the margin and body of the work piece adjacent thereto. The folding and pressing bar 64 is begun to be moved rearwardly when the cam shaft has rotated through 255 from its starting position under the control of cam I14 and the interconnecting parts, and the folding and pressing bar reaches its retracted position when the cam shaft has been rotated through approximately 300. At this point the work-engaging parts will be positioned as shown in Fig. 13.

At this time the margin-raising bar 36 is moved downwardly and reaches its downward position when the cam shaft has rotated through approximately 350 from its starting position. The folding blade is begun to be moved rearwardly under the control of spring 244 and reaches its rearward position when the cam shaft has been rotated through approximately 355 from its starting position. Also when the cam shaft has been rotated through 300 from its starting position, the presser bar 186 begins its upward releasing movement, under the control of spring 284, and it reaches its upward position when the cam shaft has been rotated through approximately 355. When the cam shaft has been rotated through 355, the parts will be positioned as shown in Fig. 2.

At the same time that the presser bar I86 commences its upward movement, the arm 28 5 moves counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 2 under the control of spring 284, producing a downward movement of the turnbuckle 238, 290 and a counterclockwise movement of the treadle lever 380 and arm 308, as well as an upward movement of link Eli! and a return of the treadle to its upward position. The end of the treadle lever 300 en gaging the pin 314 on the clutch arm moves counterclockwise and the clutch arm 362 is moved clockwise under the control of spring H0. The clutch arm 352 will move the wedge shaped memher 35% carried thereby into the path of the clutch bolt actuating arm 35E, producing a retraction of the clutch bolt 340 and a disengagement of the same from the driving pins 328 car ried by the driving member 328. The brake shoe 332 engaging the surface of the brake drum 380 will stop'the rotation of the cam shaft at approximately the starting position. If the operator has not released the treadle, instead of stopping, the cycle of operation of the machine is repeated.

It will be appreciated that the downward movement of the margin raising bar 34 and of the folding and pressing bar 5 5, when the latter bar is in its forward position, will be arrested by the resistance of the folded-over margin of the work piece when a predetermined amount of pressure has been applied by the folding and pressing bar 64 to the folded-over margin, at which time the upper end of the cam lever 92 moves the pins H36, block HM and spring housing [Hi upwardly and forwardly along the rod i109, against the compression. of spring H2, thereby preventing the application of undue pressure to the upper sur face of the folded-over margin of the work piece by the folding and pressing bar 64. The amount of pressure to be applied to the surface of the work piece by bar 6d can be regulated by ad.- justing the compression on spring H2 by means of hand nut H6. In view of this arrangement,

the time when the margin raising bar reaches its downward position with the folding and pressing bar in its forward position varies somewhat according to the thickness of the work piece. If desired, by employing a suitably designed cam for controlling the same, the timing previously set forth may be varied so that the folding and pressing bar 64 moves downwardly more rapidly than described to'exert a quick heavy blow on the folded-over margin.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

. 1. A form folding machine comprising a base, a work support carried thereby, said work support being adapted to receive a wide work piece, and means for folding the margin of such a work piece on said support, said folding means including a margin turning member, a lever supporting said member, said lever covering substantially the entire base lengthwise and widthwise of the machine and having depending side walls extending toward said base, means mountingsaid lever for movements relatively to' said base, and mechanism mounted on said base under said lever to actuate said lever and margin turning member, said lever cooperating with said base to form an enclosure for said mechanism.

2. A form folding machine comprising a base having upwardly extending side walls, a work support carried by the base, said work support being adapted to receive a wide work piece, and means for folding the margin of such a .work piece on said support, said folding means including a margin turning member, a lever supporting said member, said lever covering substantially the entire base lengthwise and widthwise of the machine and having depending side walls extending toward said base adjacent to the walls thereof, means mounting said lever for movements relatively to said base, and mechanism mounted on said base under said lever to actuate said lever and margin turning member, said lever cooperating with said base to form an enclosure for said mechanism. 7

3. A form folding machine comprising a base, a work support carried thereby, said work support being adapted to receive a wide work piece, a lever covering substantially the entire base lengthwise and widthwise of the machine, means mounting said lever for movements relatively to said base, a first folding means carried by said lever for engaging the margin of such a work piece on said support to turn the margin at an angle to the remainder of the work piece, a second folding means carried by said lever to turn further the margin to complete the folding thereof, and separate mechanisms mounted on said base under said lever to actuate said lever and said first and second folding means together and to move said second folding means independentenly of the lever and first folding means, said lever cooperating with said base to form an enclosure for said mechanisms 4. A form folding machine comprising a base, a work support carried thereby, said work support being adapted to receive a Wide work piece,

a folding lever covering substantially the entire 7 at an angle to the main body portion of the work piece, a second folding means carried by said lever, and mechanism mounted on said base under said lever for operating said second folding means in predetermined time relation to the movements of said lever about its pivot for further turning said margin to complete the folding thereof and position the second folding means for pressing the margin so turned against the adjoining portion of the work piece, said lever cooperating with saidbase to form an enclosure for said mechanisms.

5. A form folding machine comprising a work support, means for folding the margin of a work piece extending beyond said support comprising a first folder for turning the margin at a right angle to the body of the work piece, means mounting said folder for movement in a path substantially normal to the supporting surface of the work support, a second folder carried by the first folding means for movement therewith and relatively thereto in a path substantially normal to the path of movement of the first folder for completing the fold, and means forlmoving said folders in predetermined time relation.

6. A form folding machine comprising a Work support, a base by which said work support is carried, means for folding the margin of a work piece extending beyond said support comprising a first folder for turning the margin at a right angle to the body of the work piece, means pivoting said folder to said base for movement in a path substantially normal to the supporting surface of the work support, a second folder carried by the first folding means for movement therewith and relatively thereto in a path substantially normal to the path of movement of the first folder for completing the fold, and means for moving said folders in predetermined time relation. l

'7. A form folding machine comprising a' work support, a first folding means for engaging the margin of a work piece projecting beyond the support to turn said margin at an angle to the main portion of said work piece on the support,

a second folding means for completing the fold and pressing the margin against the adjoining portion of the work piece on the support, a first means for reversibly moving both of said folding means along a path substantially normal to the surface of the main portion of the work piece,

and separate means for reversibly moving said second folding means along a path substantially parallel to the surface of the main portion of the work piece in predetermined time relation to the operation of said first moving means.

8. A folding machine comprising a work support, a first folding means extending transversely of the machine for engaging the underside of the margin of a work piece projecting beyond the support to turn the same upwardly, a second folding means movable with and independently of said first folding means underlying said first folding means for engaging the upturned margin to turn further the same into overlying position with respect to the adjacent portion of the work piece on the support and to press the margin downwardly against the same, and means for operating said first and second folding means in predetermined time relation to one another.

9. A folding machine comprising a base, a work support carried thereby, a first folding means and a member supporting said folding means, said member being reversibly movably mounted with respect to said base to move said first folding means in a path approximately normal to the work support to turn the margin of a work piece projecting beyond the support at an angle to the main body portion of the work piece upon movement of said member in one direction, a second folding means carried by said member and movable with said first folding means and independently thereof in a direction approximately parallel to the surface of the work support to turn further the margin of the work piece into a position overlying the adjacent portion of the work piece, and for pressing the margin so turned against the adjacent portion of the work piece upon movement of said carrying member in the opposite direction, and mechanism for movingv said folding means in predetermined time relation.

10. A folding machine comprising a base, a work support carried thereby, a folding lever pivoted to said base, a first folding means carried by said lever for engaging the margin of a work piece extending beyond said support to turn the same at an angle to the main portion of the work piece upon movement of said lever in one direction about its pivot, a second folding means carried by and independently movable with respect to said lever for engaging the turned margin of the work piece to turn further the same into a position approximately parallel to the adjacent portion of the work piece upon independent movement relatively to the lever, and for pressing the margin so turned against the adjacent portion of the work piece upon movement of said lever in the other direction about its pivot, and mechanism for moving said folding means in predetermined time relation.

11. A folding machine comprising a base, a work support carried thereby, a folding lever pivoted to said base, a first folding means carried by said lever for engaging the margin of a work piece projecting beyond the support to turn the same at an angle to the main portion thereof upon movement of said lever in one direction about its pivot, a second folding means carried by said lever and independently movable with respect thereto in a direction generally toward and away from the pivot between said base and lever for engaging the turned margin of the work piece to turn further the same into a position overlying the adjacent portion of the work piece upon independent movement relative to the lever, and for pressing together the margin and adjacent portion upon movement of said lever in the other direction about its pivot, mechanism for moving said second folding means away from and toward said pivot, and mechanism for moving said folding lever in opposite directions about its pivot in predetermined time relation to the lastmentioned movements of said second folding means, said last-mentioned mechanism including adjustable means yieldable upon pressing the margin and adjacent portion of the work piece by the second folding means.

12. A folding machine for folding wide work pieces comprising a base, a folding lever pivoted to said base, said lever extending substantially the entire distance lengthwise and widthwise of the machine, a first folding means extending substantially the entire distance transversely of the machine and supported by said lever, a second folding means extending substantially th entire distance transversely of the machine underneath said first folding means and supported by said lever, mechanism carried by said base under said lever for reversibly moving said folding lever about its pivot, and additional mechanism carried by said base under said lever for moving said second folding means generally toward and away from said pivot in predetermined time relation to the movements of said lever about its pivot.

13. A folding machine comprising a base, a supporting arm pivoted to said base, work clamping means carried by said arm, creasing means pivotally carried by said arm, a folder for turning the margin of the work around said creasing means, manually actuable means for moving said arm about its pivot to move the clamping means and the creasing means into operative position, and separate means for moving said creasing means about the pivot carried by said arm out of engagement with the work.

14.. A folding machine comprising a base, a supporting arm pivoted to said base, work clarnping means carried by said arm, creasing means pivotally carried by said arm, manually actuable means for moving said arm about its pivot to move the clamping means into operative position, and separate means pivotally connected to said creasing means about an axis coaxial with the pivot of said arm at the time of actuation of said manually actuable means for moving said creasing means about the pivot carried by said supporting arm.

HAROLD ERNEST ELLIOTT. LAWRENCE lVIAWBEY.

REFERENCES CITED he following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,069,115 Rosenthal Jan. 25, 1937 2,229,542 Allison Jan. 21, 1941 2,262,792 Bray Nov. 18, 1941 2,266,946 Allison Dec. 23, 1941 2,273,585 Moore Feb. 17, 1942 

